The Mount Evans Road and Scenic Byway (Colorado Highway 5) is typically open the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Evans is open for the season. “It had to do with both the safety of the public and long-term viability of the recreation area,” says Reid Armstrong of the U.S. Forest Service. For information, call the USFS Park Ranger at the Idaho Springs Visitor Center at 303-567-4382. From Summit Lake, you are looking up at north face of Mt. They do take credit cards, but that line is slower. There are no services past Echo Lake. 5280 has a newsletter for everyone. In a … Evans. We only saw about 25 people all day—a mix of hikers and cyclists of every variety. The trip down will be fast.  Watch your speed on the switchbacks.  The last time I rode this , I almost took out a family mountain goats loitering just beyond a blind curve.  I’m not sure who was more surprised, them or me. You have earned an incredible downhill ride. The drive there was also a sight to see and there are a couple of "stops" on the way up where you can park and take pictures on the side of the road. This will add 20 to 30 miles, based on where you start and will add roughly 3,000 feet of climbing to the ride. You don’t want to get caught in heavy weather or lighting up here.  Remember, you are above treeline and are now one of the taller objects around .  Also, it’s likely to be 10-20 degrees cooler and if precipitation falls, it will most likely be sleet, freezing rain, or snow: Even in July and August.Â. Of course, we’ve heard the opposite, too … motorists upset they couldn’t drive up this summer.”. The Bob Cook Memorial Mount Evans Hill Climb or Mount Evans Hill Climb is a bicycle race situated on Mount Evans near Idaho Springs, Colorado.Begun in 1962, the race has been held every year since except for three cancellations. You could tell this was my first bike ride up Mt Evans. The road, which travels to the summit of the 14,265’ peak, will be open to bicyclists and hikers. The Mount Evans Road will reopen on May 25, 2012. “Unlike some high mountain passes, it’s a dead-end road. We couldn't make it all the way to Mount Evans because that part of the road was closed in October but we made it to echo lake and it was truly beautiful. In order to run safely with COVID measures, we’d run at a deficit.”. 1675 Larimer St. It’s essentially an all-day event that will require some careful planning in terms of nutrition, hydration and gear. All the other cyclists on the road just had cycling gear and 2 water bottles which they refilled at Echo Lake. The Mount Evans Highway from Echo Lake to the summit will not open for motorized traffic this summer. Evans Road Entrance Sign. The road and access to the top of Mount Evans is closed at Summit Lake the day after Labor Day. If riding pre or post season, you are on your own. It's actually a fantastic ride down into Idaho Springs from Mt. make sure you have trained for a ride like this. It’s a narrow summit. We saw herds of mountain goats—some staring us down in the middle of the road—marmots scurrying over rocks, and even fuzzy-antlered elk along the way. Bring extra water and food. Traffic is mild for the entire climb on Mt. In 1981, it was renamed in honor of five-time race winner Bob Cook, who died of cancer at the age of 23. Summit open Memorial Day through Labor Day only. If you usually ride skinnies, it might be a good idea to opt for nubby tires for this trek—you can especially feel every bump in the road on the way down. Echo Lake Park to the Mount Evans … Best to arrive by 10am on weekends. Almost a century on, it’s a playground for cyclists, hikers, and, well, cars. Mount Evans Scenic Byway. It was going to be an abbreviated season since we didn’t open until July. However, with recent winter weather and chilly temperatures at the summit, Armstrong urges extra caution. Sign up for Strava to save this route and share it with your friends. I didn’t know that the Mt. This is a 14k high elevation ride. It snows, sleets, and ices year round. Note: Photos are to be used only to promote Colorado as a leisure destination or in a news story. Idaho Springs serves as the starting point to the byway. There were the hardcore, Lycra-wearing type—many of whom had started their trek from Idaho Springs, making the ride 28 miles each way and 6,500 feet of climbing—slow and steady cyclists who make the trip an annual pilgrimage, bucket-listers on dilapidated, old mountain bikes, and flatlanders using their handlebars like walkers for the last two miles. The Mount Evans Highway typically opens around Memorial Day weekend, but this year it … With warm weather in the forecast, cyclists still have time to make the journey. 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